Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-04
TIE CITY POLICE
REPORT OF TIE CHEF 70 HIS HONOR
THR MAYOR.
Need Of kore Men-Expense OF the Or
ganizstion- Reforms Recon-
mended, &c.
The Mayor yesterday received the
following

following
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE,
RICHMOND, Va, January /, 1887.
Hon. William C. Carrington, Mayor:
Dear Sir,-I herewith have the honor
to submit my seventeenth annual report
of the operations of the police force tor
the wear ending December 81, 1888;
The annexed statistical tables were
carefully prepared by Mr.. W. Washing.
ton, and show the number and charac-
ter Of the arrests made during the year,
end violations of city ordinances, which
Won will observe outnumber the ar
rests and ordinances of former years by
a good many hundreds, showing ac-
tivity on the part of the police.
The health of the force was never
better, and is in q great measure due
to the great care taken by the Board to
select young men of robust constitu-
tions, and in addition they are subject
ed to thorough medical examination be-
fore receiving their appointments. The
discipline has been particularly good.
and but few have had charges preferred
against them in the past year.
In the past / have asked an increase
of force for reasons that were then
given and which were strongly en-
dorsed by yourself and recommended
to the City Council ASH necessity.
am still satisfied that an increase Is ne
cessary, for frequent complaints are
made from the suburbs of neglect OF
the police to afford the protection they
think themselves entitled TO as tax
payers.
We are forced to make the beats very
large at all times, but particularly III
the DAYTIME, and that occasions the oft
repeated remark "I never gee po-
liceman in my neighborhood." Not
withstanding all this, We have succeed
ed in keeping our city the most orderly
and quiet for its size in the United
States. / would respectfully suggest
that Won recommend to the Council the
propriety of keeping the expenses OF
the Police Department separate from
those of the Board of Health and the
Police Court, as We are now charged
with salaries Of three men who are in
the constant and exclusive service OF
the Board of Health that amount to
81. 463 per annum and for the Police
Court We are charged with the rent and
other contingent expenses, amounting
TO about $500, and makes it appear thai
The rolice force is costing the city SIS,
500, when it should only be $1,000.
Sometimes the police are very severely
criticised for doing duty at places O.
amusement. &c. They are sent to d.
duty whenever and wherever the citi
assemble-whether for worship, in
strnction. or amusement-tO protect
them from all annoyances.
The Superintendent of the Water
Works has frequently called upon thf
police to report all water-takers who
waste city water during very cold spells
T his can be done when the waste is
from the hydrants i'll the yards, but il
is impossible to ascertain the waste from
bathrooms, &C., without daily visl.
to each house, which, after a few visits.
would be voted a nuisance 10y large
majority of our citizens. | would sug
gest that all owners of houses be re
quired to place cocks for turning off the
water in convenient and accessible
places, such as ladies and children
might use, when very cold weather ne
cessitates the turning off the water 10
prevent freezing.
All of which is respectfully submitted
by Your very obedient servant,
JoHS PoE, Jr., Chief OF Police.
SOME OF THE FIGURES.